Doing God's Will

Bible reading: 1^st Samuel 24:1 – 11

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the right thing to do and just an opportune moment. When we are working to make changes in our lives and relationships, we may be uncertain of what to do at times. When this happens, we need to rely on God’s wisdom to help us make our decisions.

The jealousy and abuse of King Saul made young David’s life miserable. Saul knew that God had chosen David to be king instead of him. Although David was a loyal subject, Saul tried to kill him. Once, when David was hiding in a cave, King Saul came in without knowing David was there. “’Now’s your time!’ David’s men whispered to him. ‘Today is the day the Lord was talking about when he said, “I will certainly put Saul into your power, to do with as you wish”!’ Then David crept forward and quietly slit off the bottom of Saul’s robe! But then his conscience began bothering him. ‘I shouldn’t have done it,’ he said to his men. ‘It is a serious sin to attack God’s chosen king in any way.’ These words of David persuaded his men not to kill Saul” (1^st Samuel 24:4 – 8).

David knew what God expected of him in this situation and he chose to go along with God’s will. In trying to give our will to God, it is important to know what his will is in a given situation. When we aren’t sure what to do, we can look to see if the Bible gives us any guidance on similar situations. Then we will have a clear view of what it means to turn our will over to God.

When we turned our lives over to God we can rest assured that he is with us.

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What? No President?

When told that Celebrate Recovery has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues,… Our friends gasp and exclaim, “this simply can’t be…”

When I finally made my way to Celebrate Recovery, I could not believe that there was no treasurer to “compel the payment of dues.” I could not imagine an organization that didn’t require monetary contributions in return for a service. It was my 1^st and, thus far, only experience with getting “something for nothing.” Because I did not feel used or conned buy those in Celebrate Recovery, I was able to approach the program free from bias and with an open mind. They wanted nothing from me. What could I lose? I thank God for the wisdom of the early founders who knew so well the addicts distain for being manipulated.

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An Unfair World, Part 2

Bible reading: Genesis 39:1 – 23

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

There are times when life treats us unfairly. We may protest the injustices, fall victim to self-pity, give in to a why even try kind of mentality, or sink into depression. We are invited to leave the injustices we experience in the hands of God.

If there’s anyone in history who can complain about unfair treatment, it’s Joseph. He was one of 12 brothers, the favorite of his father. In their jealousy, the 11 older brothers sold Joseph as a slave into Egypt. Once a slave, Joseph devoted himself to doing a good job for his master and was quickly promoted. He was then propositioned by his master’s wife, and when he refused her, was falsely accused of rape by this vindictive woman. Thrown into prison with no hope of release, he again did his best. He was soon running the administration of the whole prison. In the end, Joseph was freed and promoted to be the Prime Minister of Egypt. In this position he was able to confront and forgive his brothers who had sold him into slavery so many years before (Genesis 37 – 45).

All it takes courage and wisdom to maintain a healthy attitude when life isn’t fair. This comes from trusting that God will take up our cause and vindicate us, as he promised. We can’t change the fact that we live in an imperfect world, where things aren’t as they should be. Turning these matters over to God can help us change our response to the injustices of life and continue to focus on our recovery rather than remaining a victim.

Looking at circumstances brings despair; looking to God brings hope for recovery.

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A Unique Stability

Where does Celebrate Recovery get its direction? These practical people then read Principle 2, and learn that the sole authority in Celebrate Recovery is a loving God. The elder statesman is the one who sees the wisdom of the group’s decision, who holds no resentment over his reduced status, whose judgment, fortified by considerable experience, is sound, and who is willing to sit quietly on the sidelines patiently awaiting developments.

Into the fabric of recovery from any addictions are woven the 12 steps and 8 principles. As my recovery progressed, I realized that this new mantle was tailor-made for me. The elders of the group gently offered suggestions when change seemed impossible. Everyone’s shared experiences became the substance for treasured friendships. I know that the fellowship is ready and equipped to aid each suffering addict at all crossroads in life. In a world beset by many problems, I find this assurance a unique stability. I cherish the gift of sobriety. I offer God my gratitude for the strength I receive in a fellowship that truly exist for the good all members.

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An Unfair World

Bible reading: Genesis 39:1 – 23

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

There are times in recovery when it seems like we’ve made it. We reach a place where we feel like we can relax and stop living one day at a time. Then life surprises us with an unexpected problem.

King David had reached the pinnacle of success. He had conquered giants, won many battles, captured the hearts of his people, and overcome enemies on every side. While he was in this comfortable position, life surprised him with the rebellion led by his own son. Here’s what happened: “a messenger sent arrived in Jerusalem to tell King David, ‘all Israel has joined Absalom and conspiracy against you!’ ‘Then we must flee at once or it will be too late!’ Was David’s instant response to his men. ‘If we get out of the city before he arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be saved… If the Lord sees fit,’ David said, ‘he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, well, let him do what seems best to him’” (2^nd Samuel 15:13 – 14, 26).

King David wisely accepted what was happening and responded to reality, not to what he wished were true. It seems that David had gotten out of the habit of relying on God, day by day, but he quickly placed his life back in God’s hands. God did protect him and returned him to the throne in Jerusalem. When life hits us with unexpected threats, we, too, can let that be a reminder to turn our lives back over to God.

When we think we’ve arrived, it’s time to begin again.

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No Ordinary Success Story

Celebrate Recovery is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.

Upon entering Celebrate Recovery, I listen to others talk about the reality of their addiction: loneliness, terror, and pain. As I listened further, I soon heard a description of a very different kind – the reality of sobriety. It is a reality of freedom and happiness, of purpose and direction, and of serenity and peace with God, ourselves and others. By attending meetings I am reintroduced to that reality, over and over. I see it in the eyes a hearing in the voices of those around me. By working the program, I find the direction and strength with which to make it mine. The joy of Celebrate Recovery is that this new reality is available to me.

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The Challenge Of Failure

In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is.

How thankful I am today, to know that all my past failures were necessary for me to be where I am now. Through much pain came experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God, as I understand Him, He shared His treasured gifts. Through experience in obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then King peace of mind – living in and sharing sobriety.

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Filled With Joy

Bible reading: acts 3:2 – 8

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

As we travel the road to recovery, we may feel like we’ve been reduced to begging for help. Our lives have been crippled by our own addictions in the addictions of others. We approached God’s door, with heads down, because we feel desperate for the help He promises to give. But even though we come to God with our heads down, that’s not how it has to stay.

Listen to the story about Peter and John’s encounter with a man who felt this way: “They saw a man lame from birth carried along the street and laid beside the Temple gate… as was his custom every day. As Peter and John were passing by, he asked them for some money. They looked at him intently, and then Peter said, ‘Look here!’ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. The Peter said, ‘We don’t have any money for you! But I give you something else! I commend you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!’ Then Peter took the lame man by the hand and pulled him to his feet. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankle bones were healed and strengthened… and [he] began walking! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them” (Acts 3:2 – 8).

We may turn to God hoping for meager handouts to keep us going. But he has much more for us! He wants to give us such a full recovery that we are healed and transformed. He wants to take us from being the beggar at God’s door, to being so full of joy that we can’t keep from leaping and praising God.

When we ask God for help, He gives us what we really need.

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A Thankful Heart

God I tried to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful hearts cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat my surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion we can never know.

My sponsor told me that I should be a grateful addict and always have “an attitude of gratitude” – that gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity and that “anonymity was a spiritual foundation of our Celebrate Recovery 12 steps and 8 principles, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” As a result of this guidance, I start every morning on my knees thanking God for 3 things: I’m alive, I’m sober, and I’m a member of my Celebrate Recovery family. Then I tried to live an “attitude of gratitude” and thoroughly enjoy another 24 hours of the Celebrate Recovery way of life. Celebrate recovery is no longer something I joined, it’s something I live.

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No One Is Worthless

Bible reading: Matthew 25:14 – 30

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

When we come out of a difficult season of life, we tend to think of our lives as a mess. But we need to realize that there is more in our lives in pain and problems; there is more to us than our addictions. If we been treated as worthless, we may overlook are many assets – our talents, resources, and abilities. God wants these turned over to Him, too.

Jesus told a story about a man who went away on a long trip. He left some “talents” to 3 of his service to invest while he was away. (A talent was a unit of currency used in biblical times.) They were given differing amounts of money to invest in keeping with each of their abilities. Two of the service use their money profitably. The 3^rd was afraid to try and buried his in the ground. When the master returned he was very pleased with the 1^st 2 servants and rewarded them. He was very angry with the servant who just hit the money away, failing to make every turn on it. The master had expected him to make the most of what he had been given (Matthew 25:14 – 30).

When we turn our lives over to God that includes all the gifts he has entrusted to us. To say that we have no talents or abilities, is an insult to the One who gave them to us. We’re not worthless! We may have to dig around a bit to find those talents that have been buried while we were consumed by our craziness, but God expects us to find them and use them. This will improve our self-esteem and help in our recovery.

God wants all of us because He loves all of us.

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Never Lost

Bible reading: Deuteronomy 8:1 – 18

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

The road that leads to recovery is often uncharted and dangerous. We may have been born into a family that was lost in a maze of dysfunction and we have had to look for the way out. There are times of need, times of fear, times when we wonder if there is a God out there who cares at all.

The Israelites who were born in the wilderness must have experienced similar feelings. Their parents had sinned and were left to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The new generation had spent much of their lives going nowhere, and for no fault of their own. When the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses showed how even there, God’s care with present. He said, “Beware that you don’t forget the God who led you through the great and terrible wilderness with the dangerous snakes and scorpions, where it was hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness… So that you would become humble and so that your trust in him would grow, and he could do you good” (Deuteronomy 8:4, 15 – 16).

Even when we seem lost, God is watching over us to protect our lives until we can get to a better place. He does take care of us in ways we may take for granted. Peter tells us, “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you” (1 Peter 5:7). Just being alive and in recovery shows that God cares for our lives!

When lost interpersonal deserts, we can be sure God is never far away.

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Mysterious Paradoxes

Such is the paradox of Celebrate Recovery regeneration: strength arising out of complete defeat and weakness, the loss of one’s old life as a condition for finding a new one.

What glorious mysteries paradoxes are! They do not compute, yet when recognized and accepted, they reaffirm something in the universe beyond human logic. When I face of fear, I am given courage; when I support a brother or sister, my capacity to love myself is increased; when I accept pain as part of the growing experiences of life, I realize a greater happiness; when I look at my dark side, I am brought into new light; when I accept my vulnerabilities and surrender to Jesus Christ, my Higher Power, I am graced with unforeseen strength. I stumbled through the doors of Celebrate Recovery in disgrace, expecting nothing from life, and I have been given hope and dignity. Miraculously, the only way to keep the gifts of Celebrate Recovery is to pass them on.

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A Bright Future

Bible reading: Luke 23:32 – 43

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Perhaps we become so disappointed that we have given up hope for the future altogether. We don’t know what the future holds, but when we give our lives to God, he can be trusted with our future. Regardless of how bad our lives might be at the moment, we can still trust him to bring about glorious good in our lives.

Here’s a story of a man who dared to trust God with his future. And he trusted God when it looked like he didn’t have a future to look forward to. “To others, criminals, were led out to be executed with him [Jesus] at a place called ‘The Skull’. They’re all 3 were crucified – Jesus on the center cross, and the 2 criminals on either side… One of the criminals hanging beside himself, ‘So, you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself – and us, too, while you’re at it!’ But the other criminal protested. ‘Don’t you even fear God when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man has done one thing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your King.’ And Jesus replied, ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise’”. (Luke 23:32 – 33, 39 – 43)

No matter what dire straits we may find ourselves in presently, we can give God our future and be assured that eternal life in Paradise will far outweigh the suffering of this present life he can also transform our lives right now, making our future down here as bright as the heavenly one!

Even when everything seems darkened hopeless, God promises us a bright, new future.

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Guidance

This means a belief in a Creator who is all power, justice, and love; a God who intends for me a purpose, a meaning, and a destiny to grow, however haltingly, toward His own likeness and image.

As I begin to understand my own powerlessness and my dependence on God, as I understand him, I began to see that there was a life which, if I could have it, I would have chosen for myself from the beginning. It is through the continuing work of Celebrate Recovery and the life in the fellowship where I’ve learned to see that there truly is a better way into which I am being guided. As I come to know more about God, I am able to trust His ways and His plans for the development of His character in me. Quickly or not so quickly, I grow toward His own image and likeness.

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The Deal Of A Lifetime

Bible reading: Philippians 3:4 – 11

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

When we think of turning our lives over to God, it’s not unusual to try to polish up our credentials as best we can before presenting them to him. We look at all the worthwhile things we’ve done, how we’ve tried to be good, whatever we feel we have to offer. It’s as if we think that God doesn’t know us at all. We present him with a good, and try to hide the bad. In reality, God knows is completely, the good and the bad. We don’t really need to sort out the good from the bad. God doesn’t care what’s in the mix, as long as we give him the whole package.

Before Paul became a Christian he kept careful count of his “good deeds” and took pride in his ancestry. When he finally decided to turn his life over to the care of God, this is what he said, “But all these things that I once thought were very worthwhile – now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, and become one with him” (Philippians 3:7 – 9).

When we made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to God, we need to give him our whole life with all its assets and liabilities. We can’t earn his love by the “good stuff” in our lives any more than we can discourages love by all the “bad stuff”. It’s a straight trade-in. We give him our whole life and being. He gives us complete forgiveness, love, redemption, and acceptance in the person of Jesus Christ. When we see what God is offering us in the little we have to offer him, it’s clear that were getting quite a deal!

God offers us far more than anyone could ever give in return.

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I'm Part of the Whole

At once I became a part – if only a tiny part – of the cosmos…

When I 1^st came to Celebrate Recovery, I decided that “they” were very nice people – perhaps a little naïve, a little too friendly, but basically decent earnest people (with whom I had nothing in common). I saw “them” at meetings – after all that was where “they” existed. I shook hands with “them” and, when I went out the door, I forgot about “them”.

Then one day, my Higher Power, Jesus Christ, whom I did not fully believe could help me, arranged to create a community project outside of Celebrate Recovery, but one which happened to involve many Celebrate Recovery members. We worked together, I got to know “them” as people. I came to admire “them”, even to the point to begin to like “them” and, in spite of myself, I began to enjoy “them”. “Their” practice of the program in their daily lives – not just in talk at meetings –attracted me and I wanted what they had. Suddenly, the “they” became “we”. I have not had a drink since.

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Single Minded Devotion

Single-Minded Devotion

Bible Reading James 4:7 – 10

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

We may already have chosen to follow God’s way, letting his paths the overall direction for our lives. But even so, many of us still keep a part of our heart hidden away from God. We have devoted this part of ourselves to gratifying our addictions, to doing things that are contrary to the will of God. This sets us up for living a double life, which can fill us with guilt, shame, and instability.

Even for those of us who have made the decision to give our hearts to God, we face new moments of decision every day. James was addressing Christians when he wrote, “So give yourself humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to Him” (James 4:7 – 8).

When we choose to live a double life, it is easy to become doubtful that God hears us at all. James wrote, “For a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn 1^st this way, and then that” (James 1:6 – 8).

When we resist the devil at every turn and choose to draw close to God, he will draw close to us. When we open up our hidden hearts and begin to make choices in favor of recovery, we will soon grow confident that God desires to help us.

God has already defeated the devil, all we need to do is choose the winning side.

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I'm Not Different

In the beginning, it was four whole years before Celebrate Recovery brought permanent sobriety to even one addicted woman. Like the “high bottoms”, the women said they were different;… The Skid-Rower said he was different… So did the artist and the professional people, the rich, poor, the religious, those of little faith, the Indians and Eskimos, the veterans and the prisoners… Nowadays all of them, and legions more, soberly talk about how very much alike all of us addicts are when we admit that the chips are finally down.

I cannot consider myself “different” in Celebrate Recovery; if I do I isolate myself from others and from contact with Jesus Christ, my one and only higher power. If I feel isolated in Celebrate Recovery, it is not something for which others are response. It is something I’ve created by feeling I’m “different” in some way. Today, I practice being just another addict in the worldwide fellowship of Celebrate Recovery.

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Our Paths Are Our Own

… There was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.

My 1^st attempt at the Steps was one of obligation and necessity, which resulted in a deep feeling of discouragement in the face of all those adverbs: courageously; completely; humbly; directly; and only. I considered John Baker fortunate to have gone through such a major, even sensational, spiritual experience. I had to discover, as time went on, that my path was my own. After many days in the Celebrate Recovery fellowship, thanks especially to the sharing of members in the meetings, I understood that everyone gradually finds his or her own pace of moving through the Steps. Through progressive means, I try to live according to these suggested principles. As a result of these Steps, I can say today that my attitude towards life, people, and towards anything having to do with God, has been transformed and improved.

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Free To Choose

Bible reading: Deuteronomy 30:15 – 20

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Everyone has a life or death decision to make. We have been created with the supreme privilege of free will, the ability to choose. Even when we are in the bondage of our addiction we still have choices confronting us. When we are in recovery, we face the nagging lure of choosing to fall back into our addictions. The freedom to choose brings with it the burden of the results of our choices. And these choices affect our lives and the lives of our children. Free will is our blessing and our responsibility!

God spoke through Moses, saying, “Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and follow his paths, to keep his laws, so that you will live… And so that the Lord your God will bless you… But if your hearts turned away and you won’t listen… Then I declare to you this day that you shall surely perish… I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him into cling to him, for he is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:15 – 20).

Although we may feel out of control with respect to our addiction, we can choose to set our hearts in the direction of life. We can choose to love God and begin to follow his paths.

God doesn’t force his will on us, but he is there if we decide to put ourselves in his hands.

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Giving Up Control

Bible reading: Psalm 61:1 – 8

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

The thought of turning our will and our lives over can be attractive. When we give into our addictions aren’t we giving control of ourselves over to another power? Are we, in some way, giving up personal responsibility for our lives? When we are overwhelmed or wanting to escape, our addictions can make us feel strong or safe, attractive, powerful, or happy. So, in a sense, we are very comfortable with the thought of giving up control of our will and our lives.

We can simply change our focus to turn our lives over to God instead of the sources we have turned to in the past. The apostle Paul touched on this contrast when he said, “Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him” (Ephesians 5:18).

When we are overwhelmed and in need of some kind of escape, we have a new place to turn. King David declared, “All who are oppressed may come to him [God]. He is a refuge for them in their times of trouble. All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help. For you have never yet forsaken those who trust in you” (Psalms 9:9 – 10).

David also wrote, “For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of safety. For you are my refuge, a high tower were my enemies can never reach me” (Psalms 1:2 – 3).

God never changes; he is always present with us.

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The Love In Their Eyes

Some of us will believe in God, others can’t, still others who do believe that God exists have no faith at all that he will perform this miracle.

It was the change I saw in the new people who came into Celebrate Recovery that helped me lose my fear, and change my negative attitude to a positive one. I could see the love in their eyes and I was impressed by how much their “one at a time” sobriety meant to them. They had looked squarely and step 2 and came to believe that a power greater than themselves was restoring them to sanity. That gave me faith in Celebrate Recovery, and hope that it could work for me, also. I found that God was a loving God, not that punishing God I feared before coming to Celebrate Recovery. I also found that he had been with me during all those times I had been in trouble before I came to Celebrate Recovery. I know today that he was the one who led me to Celebrate Recovery and that I am a miracle.

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Commitment

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right action is the key to good living.

There came a time in my program of recovery when the 3^rd stanza of the serenity prayer – “the wisdom to know the difference” – became indelibly imprinted on my mind. From that time on, I had to face the ever present knowledge that my every action, word and thought was within, or outside, the principles of the program. I could no longer hide behind self-rationalization, nor behind the insanity of my disease. The only course open to me, if I was to attain a joyous life for myself (and subsequently for those I love), was one in which I imposed on myself an effort of commitment, discipline, and responsibility to my higher power, Jesus Christ.

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Trusting God

Bible reading: Numbers 23:18 – 24

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

It is not uncommon to link our perceptions about God to our childhood experiences with people who play powerful roles in our lives. If we have been victimized in the past by people who were capricious, abusive, distant, uncaring, or incompetent, we may now anticipate these qualities God.

Just because God is a power greater than we are, and the people who victimized us represent a power greater than we were, it does not mean that God will harm us if we entrust our lives Him. Even Jesus tells us that He didn’t entrust himself to man because He knew what was in their hearts. Nevertheless, He voluntarily turned His life over to the will of God the Father. “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men” (Psalms 118:8).

We have learned that when we place our confidence in people, our lives can be devastated by disappointment. We can’t let this keep us from ever trusting again. In working Step Three we can make a healthy decision to turn our will and our lives over to the only One who is worthy of being trusted. The Bible tells us, “God is not a man, that He should lie; He doesn’t change his mind like humans do” (Numbers 23:19). Then God has said, I will never, never fail you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

We realized that we can’t make it all alone. This time we can stop being the victim. We can turn our lives over to someone who is really able to care for our needs.

We trust in many things, but it is best to trust in the only one worthy of our trust – God Himself.

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Taking Action

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

One of the most important things Celebrate Recovery has given me, in addition to freedom from alcohol, is the ability to take “right action.” It says the promises will always materialize if I work for them. Fantasizing about them, debating them, preaching about them and faking them just won’t work. I’ll remain a miserable, rationalizing dry drunk. By taking actions in working the 12 steps in all of my affairs, I’ll have a 2^nd life beyond my wildest dreams.

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An Open Hand

Bible reading: Matthew 16:24 – 28

Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Many of us who struggle with addictions have spent much of our strengths just trying to hold on to our lives. Maybe we fear loosening our grip to let someone else take care of us. We may be doing a lousy job of caring for our own life, but we still hesitate about letting go. Perhaps, we are afraid that if we do let go, no one will be there to take hold of us.

In the Old Testament we often hear about people being “consecrated” to God.  This meant that they were making a decision to turn the remainder of their lives over to God for whatever purpose he desired. The root of this word literally means “an open hand” as opposed to a close. They had a ceremony to let go of what they were holding onto for their own lives, and to proclaim that God was welcome to take hold of them. Jesus told us, “For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again” (Matthew 16:25 – 26). By now we probably recognize that we were losing our lives anyway, no matter how hard we tried to hang on.

Once we decide to let go of the control of our own will in our lives, something wonderful is promised. Jesus says of those who turned their lives over to him: “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from.” (John 10:28). When we finally find the courage to let go, God is waiting to grasp our lives firmly and hold them securely for all eternity.

Holding on, we lose what we have; letting go, we receive more.

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Expectations vs. Demand

Expectations vs. Demand

Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house.

Dealing with expectations is a frequent topic at meetings. It isn’t wrong to expect progress of ourselves, good things from life, or decent treatment from others. Where we get into trouble is when our expectations become demands. We will fall short of what we wish to be and situations will go in ways we do not like, because people will let us down sometimes. The only question is: “What are we going to do about it?” Wallow in self-pity or anger; retaliate and make a bad situation worse; or will we trust in God’s power to bring blessings on the messes in which we find ourselves? Will we asked him what we should be learning; do we keep on doing the right things we know how to do, no matter what; do we take time to share our faith and blessings with others?

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Belonging to God

Belonging to God

Bible reading: Daniel 3:14 – 27

Step 3: we made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Our decision to turn our will and our lives over to God will be tested. By making this decision we set our lives at odds with the crowd. This will include most of our old friends and maybe even members of our family. We should expect some heat and not be shocked when it comes. But God will be with us in the fire, to preserve us and bring us through.

In the book of Daniel we meet 3 young Jewish men who were taken captive and relocated to a strange land. They entrusted their lives to God and refused to worship the idols of Babylon. The result was so strong that when they were threatened with death by fire they replied, “if we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us to us: and he will deliver us… But if he doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstances serve your gods.” They were promptly bound with ropes and thrown into the furnace. The King was amazed at what he saw. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted, “I see 4 men, unbound, walking around in the fire, and they aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the 4^th looks like a God!” (Daniel 3:17 – 18, 25).

God was right there, taking the heat with them. The only thing they lost by turning their will and their lives over to him was the ropes and bound them. Those were burned up in the flames. When we’re challenged because of our decision to turn our lives over to God, we can expect God to be there for us, too.

Nothing can bind us when God wants us to be free.

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We Can’t Think Our Way Sober

To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many people in Celebrate Recovery can say, “yes, we were like you – far too smart for our own good… Secretly, we felt we could float above the rest of the folks on our brainpower alone.”

Even the most brilliant mind is no defense against the disease of addiction. I can’t think my way sober. I tried to remember that intelligence is a God given attribute that I may use, a joy – like having a talent for dancing or drawing or carpentry. It does not make me better than anyone else, and it is not a particularly reliable tool for recovery, for it is a power greater than myself who will restore me to sanity, not a high IQ or a college degree.

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Discovering God

Bible reading: Acts 17:23 – 28

Step 3: we made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Principle 3: Consciously choose to commit all of my life and will to Christ care and control.

“Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:8)

Before we can turn our lives over to God, we need to have an accurate understanding of who He is. It’s crucial that our lives be turned over to the God who loves us, and not the “god” of this world who seeks only to deceive and destroy. The apostle Paul described the deceiver this way: “Satan, who is the god of this evil world, has made him [the deceived person] blind, unable to see the glorious light of the gospel that is shining upon him, or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Has Satan deceived us? How can we be sure that we have a true understanding of God?

When Paul addressed the men of Athens he said, “I saw your many altars, and one of them had this inscription on it – ‘to the unknown God.’ You have been worshiping him without knowing who He is, and now I wish to tell you about Him… His purpose in all of this is that they [all people] should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him – though He is not far from any of us. For in Him we live and move and are!” (Acts 17:23, 27 – 28).

Even though God may be unknown to us, He is near and willing to reveal himself. God has promised, “You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest” (Jeremiah 29:13). Turning over our will involves becoming willing to accept God as He is, instead of insisting on creating Him in our own image. When we seek God with an open heart and mind, we will find Him.

As we seek God, He makes himself known to us.

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I wrote and used this in our Action Lesson, Lesson 6, on Wednesday evening in our Celebrate Recovery Large Group Meeting.

Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens” (Matthew 11:28–30, TLB).

Just a quick word about yokes.  Pretty much everyone knows what a yoke is.  If not, it is the picture on the left.  It goes around the neck of two oxen, pairing them together so that they can pull a load together, equally.  When Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  I paraphrased a little here.  How can that big log over our necks be light?  How can the plow that we are pulling be an easy load?

Look at the picture.  The cloth that the rabbi has over his head is also called a yoke.  In the days of Jesus, the rabbi’s yoke was decorated in such a way as to signify a way of teaching.  If you know anything about martial arts, each Sensei, or teacher, has his own dojo, or school of technique.  The same with the rabbi’s.  Their school of thought was identified thru their yoke, and the markings on it.  So a student, or a rabbi who had studied under a certain “master”, would have the same markings.

When Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”, in essence, what He is saying is to take my teachings upon you.  I don’t have all the burdens of the law to weigh you down.  Remember when He was asked by the Pharisee’s, which was the greatest commandment?  He replied, “”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

Two commandments instead of 633 laws.  And, those two concern one thing.  Love.  If we follow those two commandments, there would be no need for any of the others.  Not the other 8, that Moses had on the stone tablets, or the other 631 that were added to fill in the loopholes that people tried to find.

And Jesus’ yoke?  His burden?  If we are under His teachings, then we also fall under His grace.  That grace that forgives us, even before we were seeking Jesus.  That grace that takes away all condemnation, guilt and sorrow for the things that we have done in the past.  That grace that washes us clean, and white as snow.  That same grace that continues to wash us as long as we continue to accept the power of Jesus Christ to change our lives, and submit to Him, and live our lives under His yoke.  That is one burden that I will gladly bear.

The Root of Our Troubles

This is a test file to attempt to begin an RSS feed.The Root of Our Troubles